Kid Cudi checked himself into rehab Tuesday to deal with “depression and suicidal urges,” the rapper revealed in an emotional note posted on Facebook.

“It’s been difficult for me to find the words to what I’m about to share with you because I feel ashamed,” he wrote. “Ashamed to be a leader and hero to so many while admitting I’ve been living a lie. It took me a while to get to this place of commitment, but it is something I have to do for myself, my family, my best friend/daughter and all of you, my fans.”

Cudi, 32, continued, “I am not at peace. I haven’t been since you’ve known me. If I didn’t come here, I would’ve done something to myself. I simply am a damaged human swimming in a pool of emotions everyday of my life. There’s a ragin’ violent storm inside of my heart at all times.”

Cudi’s decision to enter a rehab facility comes a month after he engaged in a brief but very public war of words with Kanye West, his longtime collaborator, Rolling Stone reported.

Addressing the “clowns” in the music industry, Cudi tweeted, “Everyone thinks they’re soooo great. Talkin top 5 and be having 30 people write songs for them.”

West immediately responded the following night during his Saint Pablo concert in Tampa. From the stage, he admonished Cudi, saying “Kid Cudi, don’t ever mention ‘Ye name. … Don’t never mention my name in a bad manner. None of y’all! I’m so hurt. I feel so disrespected.”

But a week later in Houston, West took a different tone when he again addressed the Cudi issue. He appeared to know that Cudi was dealing with personal issues. He told the crowd, “I just wanted to take time out to say Kid Cudi is my brother and I hope he’s doing well.”

In his Facebook note, Cudi explained that anxiety and depression have ruled his life “for as long as I can remember.”

These mental health challenges stopped him from making friends or trusting people, he said. “I deserve to have peace. I deserve to be happy and smiling.”

His said his treatment won’t interfere with him delivering his new album, “Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin,” although he won’t be able to help promote it.

“I wanted to square away all the business before I got here so I could focus on my recovery,” he wrote. “I’ll be back, stronger, better.

Martha Ross is a features writer who covers everything and anything related to popular culture, society, health, women’s issues and families. A native of the East Bay and a graduate of Northwestern University and Mills College, she’s also a former hard-news and investigative reporter, covering crime and local politics.